doc_1835940

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: October 14, 202 5  New Policy  Rescinds 6.7 (July 21, 2025) Number: 6.7 SUBJECT: Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, Repeat Violence Print Date: 10/14/25 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month : October This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure a pro -active response from all members when dealing with the pervasive problem of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence and repeat violence within our community. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to vigorously enforce all laws applicable to domesti c violence, dating violence, sexual violence and repeat violence. Officers shall follow a pro -arrest philosophy, which is encouragement to make an arrest in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and repeat violence cases when probable cause exists. 3. Definitions A. Aggravated Stalking - Per Florida Statute, a third degree felony; it is stalking plus the added element of; 1) a credible threat with intent to place a person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury; or 2) violation of Domestic V iolence Injunction, Repeat Violence Injunction, Dating Violence Injunction, or any other similar court order; or 3) the victim is a minor under the age of 16 years, (Section 784.048(5) F.S.). 6.7, Page 2 B. Course of Conduct - A pattern of conduct composed of a series o f acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. (Constitutionally protected activity, such as picketing or organized protests, is not included within this meaning.) C. Court of a foreign state – Means a court of competent ju risdiction of a state of the United States, other than Florida; the District of Columbia; an Indian tribe; or a commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States . D. Credible Threat - A threat made with the intent to cause the person who is the target of the threat to reasonably fear for his or her safety. The threat must be against the life of, or to cause bodily injury to, a person. E. Dating Violence – Violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the consideration of the following factors: 1. A dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months. 2. The nature of the relationship must have been characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties. 3. The frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a co ntinuous basis during the course of the relationship. 4. The term does not include violence in a casual acquaintanceship or violence between individuals who only have engaged in ordinary fraternization in a business or social context. F. Domestic, Dating, Sexual or Repeat Violence Injunction - A judicial order which both directs the respondent to do a specific act and prohibits him or her from doing other acts. The primary objective is to pr event future injury. G. Domestic Violence - Any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, false imprisonment, kidnapping, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. H. Family or Household Member - Spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided toge ther in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the 6.7, Page 3 same single dwelling unit. This does not include roommates whose relationship is strictly platonic. I. Harassment - A course of conduct directed at a specific person, causing substantial emo tional distress in such person, that serves no legitimate purpose. J. Injury - Harm or damage to a person. Injury can be visible (e.g., bruising) or nonvisible. K. Predominant Offender/Aggressor - A person who commits, attempts to commit, or threatens to commit violence against another, and w hose actions are not consistent with lawful self -defense. L. Repeat Violence - Two incidents of assault, battery, sexual battery, or stalking, one of which occurred within six months of filing the petition for a protective injunction, that were committed by respondent against petitioner or petitioner's immediate family member. M. Sexual Violence – Any one incident of: 1. Sexual battery, as defined in Chapter 794; 2. A lewd or lascivious act, as defined in chapter 800, committed upon or in the presence of a person younger than 16 years of age; 3. Luring or enticing a child, as described in chap ter 787; 4. Sexual performance by a child, as described in chapter 827; or 5. Any other forcible